The World Bank (WB) said Tuesday, it will give its decision on financing of the Padma Bridge project on the basis of assessment of the First Information Report (FIR), filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Monday, by its external panel of experts.

The WB statement came as Finance Minister AMA Muhith said on the same day that the government was looking forward to a positive response from the WB on the issue of its funding of the project as the ACC has taken action against seven suspects.

"Decisions by the WB regarding future project financing and implementation would depend on the outcome of the External Panel's assessment," WB Country Director in Bangladesh Ellen Goldstein said in a statement a day after the filing of the case against seven suspects in connection with Padma Bridge graft conspiracy.

Ms Ellen Goldstein further said: "The External Panel of internationally-recognized anti-corruption experts will issue a report assessing the adequacy of the Anti-Corruption Commission's investigation once they have an opportunity to fully review and discuss the FIR."

The ACC Monday filed the case for graft conspiracy in the process of appointing a Canadian consulting firm --SNC Lavalin --for Padma Bridge construction supervision works.

Before filing the case, an ACC inquiry team found nine persons involved in the alleged corruption and recommended to its headquarters to file the case against them.

The ACC, however, dropped the names of former communications minister Syed Abul Hossain and former state minister for foreign affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury from the list of suspects and filed a case with the Banani Police Station against seven persons Monday.

ACC, however, said it has not exonerated the two former ministers from the charge as their names remained on the FIR as graft suspects. Since no substantial documents were found against the duo, the ACC will further investigate their links.

Muhith said: "We hope to get a clear position from the WB on the matter (Padma bridge). I would have something to say about the issue after getting its response, if any".

The finance minister was talking to reporters on the sideline of a function marking the World Migrants Day 2012 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center in the city.

News: The Daily Financial Express/Bangladesh/19th-Dec-12